The Action Training Systems Emergency Responder Blog
Leadership Profile: Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr
Thursday, 05 April 2018 00:00 |Guest blog written for Action Training Systems by Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (Ret.)
Before she became a firefighter and began a 30-year (and still counting) career in the fire service, Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr was a coach and physical education teacher at the high school level for 12 years. It's not hard to imagine Kerr in that role, as she's widely known in the fire service for her infectious smile, laughter, and energy. When it comes to the embodiment of a leader as someone who strives to make the people around her better than they think they can be, Chief Kerr is a "five-star" performer.
Chief Kerr is a fourth-generation firefighter wit...
NFPA Set to Publish New Standard for Active Shooter and Hostile Events
Wednesday, 28 February 2018 00:00 |Guest blog written by Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (Ret.)
For only the second time in its 121-year history, the National Fire Protection Association is preparing to publish a new standard, NFPA 3000: Standard for Preparedness and Response to Active Shooter and/or Hostile Events, with provisional standard status. Provisional standards are developed when there is a serious life safety concern that warrants an abbreviated standards development process.
4 Steps for Better Firefighter Training Exercises
Wednesday, 17 January 2018 00:00 |Guest blog written by Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (Ret.)
Firefighter training is not a synonym for testing.
Fire Service Leadership Profiles - Burton Clark
Tuesday, 02 January 2018 00:00 |
Fire Service Leadership Profiles — Burton Clark
Guest blog written by Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (Ret.)
After writing the first leadership profile of Dr. Denis Onieal, the subject of the next article in that series immediately came to mind. Dr. Burton Clark, Ed.D., was a natural choice because he’s had a tremendous impact on my fire service career and likely hundreds of thousands of my colleagues over the year...
Fire Service Leadership Profiles - Dr. Denis Onieal
Tuesday, 31 October 2017 00:00 |
Fire Service Leadership Profiles — Dr. Denis Onieal
Guest blog written by Battalion Chief Robert Avsec (Ret.)
The recent passing of fire service legend Fire Chief (Ret.) Alan Brunacini was followed by an incredible outpouring of condolences for the Brunacini family and the fire service around the globe. The posts on social media and on fire service websites provided an incredible array of stories, reminisces and a genuine love for the man who taught us how to be a fire ground commander and he also introduced us to "Mrs. Smith." And he took the title of ...
Protecting Each Other at MVCs on Highways and Roadways
Tuesday, 12 September 2017 00:00 |
Firefighters and medics working at the scene of a motor vehicle crash (MVC) are increasingly being exposed to the risk of becoming the victim of a secondary crash. We regularly see instances where first-responders are killed or seriously injured, or their apparatus destroyed, by the reckless actions of inattentive or distracted drivers. The situation for potential disaster is only exacerbated with more individuals with more technology in their care, traveling over poorly maintained roads and highways in many areas of the country.
One of the most important responsibilities for fire officers and firefighters...
Writing an Effective RFP for a Training Program
Wednesday, 30 August 2017 00:00 |Guest blog writtn for ATS by Robert Avsec
A request for proposal, or RFP, is a business tool that should be used by a fire department’s leadership to ensure that your department obtains the most competitively priced goods and services to meet your organization’s training needs. A well-written RFP can ensure that your department’s expectations are clearly understood by potential vendors.
For potential vendors, your RFP should provide them with a guide that enables them to accurately and completely describe the who, what, when, why, and how they will meet the expectations you set...
What Structural Firefighters Need to Know about General Aviation Airports
Monday, 07 August 2017 00:00 |Guest blog written for ATS by Robert Avsec
When we think about airports in the U.S., most of us likely think about airports like Chicago's O'Hare Airport or Dallas-Fort Worth or LAX in Los Angeles. Those vast facilities with hundreds of take-offs and landings by planes of all sizes heading to domestic and international destinations.
What you may not know is that there are over 19,000 airports, heliports, seaplane bases and other landing facilities in the United States and its territories. The large airports with commercial flight service like LAX and JFK International account for only 378 of the airports in the U.S.
Ou...
The Importance of Quality Content for Fire and EMS Training
Wednesday, 28 June 2017 00:00 |Guest blog written for ATS by Robert Avsec
On-line training and education. Buzzwords in today's fire service training circles. Fire departments, large and small, are leaping into the on-line training and education "pool" as a solution for their every-changing training and education needs for their members.
Training and Educational Needs
Many fire departments across the U.S. and Canada str...
Preparing for Post-Traumatic Stress
Monday, 26 June 2017 00:00 |Guest Blog wirtten for ATS by Robert Avsec
Allow me to begin by saying that this article is not focused on treating any individual who is having negative responses to post traumatic stress (PTS), especially those who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Those folks need the treatment and guidance of mental health professionals and others far more knowledgeable on the subject.
Many people have many opinions about why fire and EMS personnel are being exposed to more on-the-job stress (career or volunteer, you’re still on the job when providing service), but there seems to be...
